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Protomelas annectens (Regan, 1922) |
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photo by
Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver |
| Family: | Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae | |||
| Max. size: | 20 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 32-33. Description: medium-sized species (Ref. 267). Dominantly unicuspid outer dentition (Ref. 55954). Differs from the other species of Protomelas in having a high occipital crest (Ref. 267). Coloration: basic melanin pattern of the plesiomorphic form, with a general bluish color (Ref. 267). | |||
| Biology: | Common at depths of about 10 m. Prefers shallow water and is usually found together with large, sand-dwelling cichlids. Opportunistic feeder that is attracted to any moving object that stirs up some sediment (Ref. 5595). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2018 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||